Mick Hawkins, a former teacher at BSM and sports announcer for the last 25 years, just turned 80 years old last summer and is still going strong. Hawkins is known around the community as a lively sports announcer who spends countless hours supporting and connecting with student-athletes; he hopes to inspire and leave his legacy on BSM students.
Hawkins has been announcing at BSM since 1999 and has been around to witness many different important sports highlights at BSM. One of his most memorable moments was his first year announcing, as it was also his first year teaching here. Hawkins didn’t know much about the students and wanted to get to know them on a more personal level. He decided to volunteer his time to become a sports announcer to see the students shine outside of the classroom. This helped Hawkins build his relationships with students and represents how dedicated to the community he is. It was an invaluable experience for Hawkins, and he doesn’t understand why more teachers don’t consider sports announcing to help get to know the students more. “You see the kids in such a different light and you meet the parents; it’s just a wonderful experience,” Hawkins said.
Hawkins has been around to see the school evolve into the community and place it is today. The building has evolved over time, and so has the student population. He has watched the school develop and grow into the popular private school it is today. As more students attended BSM over the years, the diversity of students advanced. Hawkins noticed this change in the student population and thinks it makes BSM the welcoming community it is today. “The diversity of kids has evolved way more from when I first started out here,” Hawkins said.
Hawkins is committed to the BSM community and dedicated to spending his time sports announcing. He says taking the time out of his day to get to know the kids and coaches is extremely important. He considers spending time with the students a privilege, compliment, and opportunity. Hawkins is honored and proud to be a part of this community and what is being accomplished in this building. “At some point in time, I’m 80 years old, and people are going to say, ‘let’s get somebody younger in my position,’ but as long as they’re not doing that, I’m happy to be associated with the building and the institute,” Hawkins said.